DENISON – Wayne was born September 5th, 1933 at St. Vincents Hospital in Sherman, Texas to Laura Pemberton Delaney and Milton Loyd Delaney. He passed away at home, April 2, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. His brother was M. Loyd Delaney. Wayne married Mary Maxine Leslie on August 15, 1953 at East Sherman Baptist Church of Sherman, Texas. Wayne and Mary had three daughters, Karen Sylvester and husband Robert of Denison, Texas; Julie Blount and husband Larry of Denison, Texas; and Laura Adams and husband Larry of San Antonio, Texas.
Grandchildren Brad Sylvester and wife Stephanie of Denison, Texas; Kyle Sylvester and wife Chrissy of Houston, Texas; Evan Sylvester and wife Chele of Littleton, Colorado; Leslie Barnett and husband Brian of Denison, Texas; Jenny Coley and husband Jason of Denison, Texas; David Blount and fiancè Courtney Haddox of Calera, Oklahoma; Amy Neasbitt and husband Brenton of Denison, Texas; Eric Adams and wife Elizabeth of New Braunfels, Texas; and Gina Dillard and husband Caleb of Edmond, Oklahoma.
Great Grandchildren Landon Sylvester and Bree Sylvester, Claire Sylvester, Luke Barnett and Delaney Barnett, Katelyn Coley, Dylan Coley, Emery Coley, Aubrey Blount, Blakelyn Blount, Remi and Kensi, Kinley Lewis, Brees Neasbitt, Nola Neasbitt, Wren Gonzales-Adams, River Adams, Remi Adams, Carson Dillard, and Jackson Dillard.
Wayne graduated from Sherman High School in 1951. While at Sherman High, he was recognized for both his academics and athletic achievements. He was all-district in football and third string all-state in football. He was all-state in track and field in the high jump. He continued his love of football and was an avid fan of Denison Yellow Jackets. Wayne graduated from the University of Texas in Austin where he had received both football and track & field scholarships. His senior year he was named all southwest conference for winning first in the conference in the Javelin. At UT he was a member of the “T” Association and the honorary pre-med fraternity Alpha Epsilon Delta. He graduated with honors in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Zoology, pre-med.
Wayne attended medical school at the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. While at Southwestern, he was a member of the Phi Chi Medical Fraternity and Alpha Omega honorary medical fraternity. He did his internship and surgery residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas. He completed his training in 1964.
The family moved to Denison, Texas and Wayne opened his office for the practice of General and Vascular Surgery in August, 1964. He was the coordinator for the purchase of the land and the building of the Medical Park Clinic in Denison by a group of doctors in 1969. He practiced there until his retirement in March, 2000. While in practice he held various medical staff offices and serve on many committees at Texoma Medical Center in Denison, Texas.
He is a diplomat in the American College of Surgeons, a member of the Texas Medical Association, a member of the Southwestern Surgical Congress, and a founding member of the Parkland Surgical Society. For many years, he served on the board of Directors of the Clara Blackford Smith Foundation and the Thelma Braun Foundation, the Pierce Foundation, and other foundations.
He is a former member of the Denison School Board and the Denison Rotary Club. He is a lifetime member of the Sherman Ex-Student Association. On September 22, 2001 he received “for accomplishments in his career and in service to others” the Association’s Distinguished Student Award.
For many years he raised cattle as a job/hobby on the family farm which is West of Sherman, Texas. He loved family outings at the farm – picnicking, riding four wheelers, hiking, etc…
He was in earlier years an avid tennis player. He started playing golf and became an avid golfer. Wayne and his wife, Maxine enjoy traveling with family and friends. Also,
Wayne and his wife, Maxine enjoy traveling with family and friends. Also, some of their most rewarding travel experiences were their trips with people to people international, an organization founded by Dwight. D. Eisenhower “ to promote understanding among individuals throughout the world.” With this group, they visited Mongolia, China, Russia, and Egypt. They also traveled with family and friends to many other countries in the world and many places in the United States. Wayne has been a member of First Baptist Church in Denison, Texas since 1964. He served on committees and medical mission trips to Jaurez and Chiapus, Mexico.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday April 6th at 10AM at First Baptist Church in Denison, Texas. Interment will follow at Cedarlawn Cemetery in Sherman, Texas.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Denison, Texas; the American Cancer Society, or The Animal Refuge Foundation at 3377 Spalding Road Sherman, Texas.
All arrangements are under the direction of Fisher Funeral Home in Denison, Texas.
